Spring suspension for track-laying tractors



Ni. B. MORGANI S'PRING SUSPENSION FOR TRACNLAYING TRACTGRS.

APPLICATION FILED IuLv 2o, i920.

wm?? PII-@mmm I; w21,

l v z urn eres ses MATHEW B. MORGAN, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE CLE''ELAND TRAGTOR COMPANY, OF EUOLID, OHIO, A CORPORATION OHIO.

SPRING: SUSPENSION FOR. TROK-LAYMG TRACTOR/S.

haeuser.,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented d une "l, 1921.

Applicatiml filed July 20, 1920. Serial No. 397,610.

avery efficient springv suspension by meansy of which an end of thev lmain frame of a track laying tractor may be .suspended upon corresponding ends of the two endless track structures which lie on opposite sides of said main frame.,

r1`he invention consists in the construction and combination of parts show-n in the drawing and hereinafter describedv and pointed out definitely in the appended claims.

1n the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a track laying tractor to which the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the front end of said. tractor; Fig. 3 is ya front elevation of said tractor, and Fig. l is a central vertical section on the line 4 4; on llig. 3. p

Referring to the parts by reference characters, 10 represents the main motor carrying frame of a track laying tractor; andv 12, 12, represent two endless track structures which are respectively located on opposite sides of the main' frame. The invention is yexemplified in a track laying tractor ofA which each endless track structure includes a track frame 14T-the rear ends of said track frames being pivoted on alined axes to therear end of the main framea 15 represents an equalizer bar which is preferably substantially channel shaped in cross section This is centrally pivoted on a longitudinal axis to a cross beam l1 which is a rigid part of the main frame, and is locatedpreterahly a little way back from its front end, The channel-shaped equalizer bar is preferably' made of sheet metal, and

when pivcted as stated has its open channel i side down.

2O and 21 represent leal 'springsa Each is secured at its thick end in the channel et the bar 15 and to' said bar near one end thereof-by ll bolts 22 or other suitable means Each spring extends from its connection with the equalizer bar transversely across the machine and into engagement lwith the front end of' that track frame 15 which lies on the opposite side of the main frame. A serviceable .engagement between said spring and track frame may be effected by having the springs rest slidably upon a longitudinally extended pin 16 secured in a transverse hole 17 in that art of the track frame which lies in front o the front idler 24 over which the track belt runs,-in which event the top of the hole overhangs the 4ends of the spring and keeps it in engagement with the pin.

\ rllhese springs lie side by side one behind the other, and the top member 15a of the equalizer bar overhangs both. When, in

operating the tractor, the 'iront end of the endless track structure on one side of the main yframe, for example, the left side, strikes an obstruction, said end of the track structure willv be raised. The shock incident to the striking of this obstruction will be very largely absorbed by that; spring21 whichengages that particu .ar endless track structure; and therefore if the obstruction is not high there will be very little, if any, movement of the equalizer bar. lf the obstruction be higher the equalizer bar will be rocked, the left end thereof moving upward precisely as if the spring 21 were connectedwith the left-end instead of being connected with the right end of said equalizer bar. lf the obstruction in the road is unusually high the' resulting downward movement of the right end of the equalizer bar will carry it against the spring 2O on the opposite side of the machine, which' spring will thereafter yieldingly resist `further rocking movement of the equalizer bar.,

By this construction unusually long and resilient springs may be employed; the advantage ot an equaliser bar is secured; and both' springs, under certain circumstances yieldingly resist that upward movement et either endless track structure which results tro? encountering the obstructions in the roa l-laving described my invention, l claim:

.1., ln a track laying tractor, thecombination 'of a main trame, two endless track .y

structures located respectively on opposite sides of themain traine, an equalizer bar;

longitudinal anisinearv `one end of: saidmain trame and tryo leaf springs which. are respectively connected to said. equalizer bar centrally' pivoted to the main rameon a4 p tiem opposie @nds herwf-each spying be= ing' extended 'fram 'its @sim of connection with the equahze: bm' 'transversely across tlm machm@ and im@ opemfvwe engagement i with that @ndasg wack structue which has on aah/e, opposite sdef the 11min mne.

2.. ln a track 'laying tracto?, 'zhe Combina,- 'bma of a main imma, Wvo @m1311955 track structures locavel respectively @n opposi' n maw?? W ii@ behind ih@ @ber and' are m- Vly :assured '0 he Pom' m sind chanvar sey across the machin@ @Heath th@ 20 

